The Spirit of the Sea

by Rebecca Hainnu, Hwei Lim (Illustrator)

The creation story of one of the central figures in Inuit mythology

This illustrated picture book tells the story of the spirit of the sea, known by many Inuktitut names including Nuliajuq, Sedna, and Takannaaluk, who is a key figure from the pantheon of Inuit lore. Sedna was once a young woman who refused to marry, but the lies and deception of a treacherous bird and her own father’s cowardice lead her to a life of solitude at the bottom of the ocean as the powerful, and at times vengeful, spirit of the sea. Steeped in Inuit traditional values and lifestyle, this book serves as an ideal introduction to the mythology of the first peoples to inhabit North America.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Mythology, Nature, Art, Animals

32 pages, Hardcover

First published November 11, 2014

Reviews

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whether you are looking for a book on Inuit folklore or not, this one's cover is sure to catch your eye. Pick it up, for a treat lies in store for you. A deft hand, and divine watercolours capture the land, life and magical spirit of the north; the sea in particular shows its many shades and moods. Between this and the natural page compositions, each illustration is a stunning example of art. As for the written counterpart, it takes a more detached approach, preferring to simply state the facts and fulfill its original purpose. This is a creation story, a cautionary tale, and has etiological importance. Arnaq is a woman of astounding beauty, but she refuses to marry any man she deems unworthy. One day, a fulmar (a bird that looks like a gull) promises her all that she desires, so she marries him. When she realizes he has deceived her, she leaves only to be betrayed by her father. In her rage and sorrow she becomes a spirit of the sea. Even in this form she is not easily pleased, which explains why the Inuit must appease her with a certain custom. Inuktitut words are sprinkled throughout the text, but are always easy to understand within the context, nonetheless there is a pronunciation guide at the back with their meanings. The art may have pulled you in, but you will come out of this story with a few bits of wisdom: respect nature, choose your marriage partner carefully, and watch out for a woman's wrath.

[Rachel Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This beautiful rendition of a classic Inuit tale is breathtaking in every respect.

Can't wait to offer my copy to my nephew, who will be extra excited about the minor dismemberment.

[Elizabeth]

Wow, Inuit tales can be real dark. Our female protagonist [Arnaq] is spoiled (by her father [Ataata]; her mother died when she was very young) and refuses all her suitors. I'm not into stories where haughty young women get their comeuppance, but I kept reading. A shaman-bird comes and woos her with lies. When she realizes what she has gotten herself into, she regrets her choices and wishes her father would come rescue her. Cool, she's learned her lesson. Except this book is titled "The Spirit of the Sea," so maybe she's not gonna get to just leave her bird husband and marry a normal dude. Bird-husband sics his bird flock on them as her father is rowing her away back home and "In an effort to save his own life, Ataata decided to offer Arnaq to the fulmars," and he throws her overboard but she grabs onto the side of the boat and he cuts her fingers off! TWICE! Her first set of joints turn into whalebones and the next into seals. She sinks into the sea and sea animals swarm protectively around her and the sea changes her into a spirit and she lives at the bottom of the sea and "Sea mammals obey her, because they were once a part of her" (so did she create seals? she couldn't have created whalebones, right, since that requires whales first? I have so many questions) and we close with a bit more about how she functions as the spirit of the sea -- and "As for the fulmars, Nuliajuq has taken away their ability to speak, so that they may never deceive another innocent soul. To this day you can hear them wailing in regret."

Oh, and the illustrations are good.

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Arnaq, a beautiful young Inuit woman loves her life and doesn't think that any of those who seek her hand in marriage can offer her what she wants, which is to avoid a life of hard work. When a fulmar (bird) shaman named Qaqulluk shows up and promises her the world she agrees to marry him. But when she accompanies him home she discovers that nothing he told her is true. She is left to live in a hut of holey fish skins, eating fish for every meal. Eventually, her ataata (father) comes to check on her and is enraged when he discovers her unhappiness. The two leave together, followed by Qaqulluk and his fulmars. At first Arnaq's father defends her but when the fulmars raise a big storm he tosses her over the side to save himself. When he cuts off her fingers to force her to release the side of the boat, her fingers turn into whales and seals. She ends up at the bottom of the sea where she becomes Nuliajuq, the spirit of the sea. Sea mammals are said to obey her because they were once a part of her. As the spirit of the sea, she avenges mistreatment of the sea mammals and punished the fulmars for their deception. This Inuit folktale tells a story of pride, deception, and cowardice and the tragic consequences. The beautiful blues, whites, and browns highlight the Arctic world in gorgeous spreads. I appreciated the pronunciation guide at the end and the explanation of the names used in the story.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This traditional Inuit story is actually the first ever traditional Inuit story that I heard. It was done as part of a spoken word piece in a song, in a rather different version of the same story (Tundra Songs by Kronos Quartet, Tanya Tagaq providing vocals, lyrics by Laakkuluk Williamson Bathory for any interested parties). I remember being completely struck by it. I am completely struck by it again.

This story provides an origin for the "Spirit of the Sea" along with the origins of various creatures populating the sea. Rebecca Hainnu does a fantastic job in telling this story, bringing it to life in a way that is enjoyable for all ages (minus some finger chopping, which is unavoidable but not graphic in the illustrations). Hwei Lim's illustrations are breathtaking, and make for the perfect backdrop for this story, along with making it all the more accessible for all ages.

I definitely recommend hearing this traditional story in any way, but this version in particular is pretty golden. Recommended for all ages.

[Emily✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful book and interesting story! A bit grim, like most mythologies.

[Faranae · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated by a Malaysian artist, the story is presented by an Inuit school principal. End notes provide a pronunciation gloss and an explanation of Inuit storytelling practices as well as acknowledgement that this is merely one rendering of a traditional folktale that has many versions. This one has a darker moral than some of the versions I've read/heard.

[Maya]

I've written this about other books, but this is a story that needs to be heard and told within a cultural context. It deserves an embedded storytelling.

... I'll be over here trying not to have nightmares.

[Jdub Wright · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated.

[Celia Juliano · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated tale that is dark, haunting, and fairy-tale like.

[Susan Treat · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book tells the story of a spirit person.

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous illustrations perfectly fit this telling of an Inuit story.

[Misa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short story inspired by the Inuit's folklore with beautiful illustrations. I've always been interested in the Inuktitut language and the Inuit culture.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Arnaq is so beautiful that many men seek her hand in marriage. She refuses them all but is tricked by a fulmar with promises of an easy life. When she leaves her village to go with him, she discovers that he has lied to her, and longs to return home. Her father comes to take her back, but her husband, Qaqulluk, causes a great storm to make it impossible for her father to cross the water. In desperation, he forces his daughter overboard, even cutting her fingers as she clings to the boat. She becomes the Spirit of the Sea, and all the sea mammals obey her. Young readers may enjoy very much this Inuit folktale offering an explanation for why the sea becomes so disturbed at times. The illustrations contain wispy images that give the pages a somewhat haunted quality.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really interesting and sad. Beautiful artwork.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Retelling of an Inuit creation myth about the "Spirit of the Sea."

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely illustrations and a good retelling of a creation story.